On 2024 discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU - Commission

OPINION

The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1. Notes that the current audit year is marked by continued geopolitical instability and global challenges; recalls that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has provided economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine worth over €177 billion; highlights the importance of the €50 billion Ukraine Facility adopted in 2024; underlines the need to accelerate both military and reconstruction aid to Ukraine;

2. Underlines the essential role of the EU's external policies under heading 6 (Neighbourhood and the World) in upholding and promoting EU values, democracy, equality, security and stability amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and other global challenges; emphasises the need for reinforced rule of law conditionality in pre-accession assistance; highlights the importance of the €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, adopted in 2024; calls for the access and funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to be reinstated in full, with strong oversight and accountability to help the humanitarian situation in Gaza;

3. Notes the 4.9% material error rate under heading 6 in 2024, mainly linked to ineligible costs and procurement issues; welcomes the Commission's effective controls over the clearance of pre-financing paid to international organisations; calls for the prompt implementation of the ECA's recommendations, including the elimination of ambiguity in contract conditions and beneficiary guidelines, as well as ensuring compliance with contractual limits on indirect costs;

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

The rapporteur declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.